I am flying in from Japan, and could use a hand getting over jet-lag. Melatonin is a prescription drug here, and a pain to get. I actually got on the local navy base a few hours away and they had a sign saying that they were sold out, so I couldn't pick any up the way I usually do.

Very easy. It's available at any drug store in the supplements aisle right next to the vitamins, etc.

If the local CVS/Walgreens doesn't have it for some reason, go to any health food/natural products store. A good one in the Reno area that is locally owned and operated is http://www.greatbasinfood.coop/

I've had some success in battling jet lag. "Scoring" some "mel" on the street after your trip is sort of a quick fix. Probably not the best tactic. I mean, it'll work, but if you want full-on treatment, then here's how.Pardon me if you know this already. You look to me military, so you've probably hopped around quite a bit. In that case, it's for everyone else with the same situation.Before your trip, perhaps three of four days, wear a watch, or a second watch (whatever) set to Playa Time. This will tell you the times of your new sunrise and sunset. Start to plan your activities around this, and you should be adapted by the time you hit the tarmac. I even stay indoors, wear dark glasses when it's supposed to be night (but isn't), etc. Dosing with melatonin at this point (at "night") is the most helpful, if you can get it.Frankly, once you get stateside, loading up with coffee in the morning is the best you can do. Try not to sleep until it's sunset in the US.That said, your sleep schedule on the playa will be totally fucked up anyway. You'll want to sleep by day and party by night, so your adaptation to Japan time might be fine the way it is.

Ugly Dougly wrote: "Scoring" some "mel" on the street after your trip is sort of a quick fix. Probably not the best tactic. I mean, it'll work.

As a Mel I find that I can be a good quick fix. But as I am built for comfort not speed there will be nothing "quick" about it.

On a more serious side, I reckon I have tried every damn OTC for jetlag. I suffer terribly and wish there was a magic pill that just worked. If you have luck with melatonin I want to come and steal some of your DNA and merge the bit that deals with jetlag with my crappy DNA - would that be OK?

Before going to bed, take some magnesium supplements (250-400mg; you should do this anyway), super B complex (yes, it gives you a good night sleep too), and vitamin D3 if you haven't been outside for at least 15 minutes in the direct sun. It won't send you to sleep, but it'll give you good sleep when you do.

"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens

As completely non-medical advice from the peanut gallery, I can suggest getting completely hammered starting several days before your trip. Aim for almost (but not quite) blackout drunk. Keep it up on the flight (when the flight attendant comes by, you can order several beers or booze bottles in one go), and then resume the dangerous levels of consumption once you clear customs. If you're drunk enough, you're immune to jetlag

I'm with Mr Dougly, you are +16 from Burningman and you may want to just stay on that. Just be careful driving in. And sleep shopping for supplies can be problematic. The strong sun at the event may reset you though, so get a 100% eye blocking sleep mask. Most people loose appetite, so meal schedule is less a factor. Also each person needs to determine their proper dosage and per sleep cycle administration for melatonin, just saying - but you probably know that.

Though Trilo is one of our most respected commenters and board gurus, most jet lag remedy theory does not recommend etoh. But many people may suggest it - YMMV!

I love the snark and humor on ePlaya, but I try to refrain. I discovered I could be too good at the branch of snark that that could be wounding. But we all understand the humor of your comment, with alcohol being the currency of the realm on the playa!

trilobyte wrote:Thanks for the kind words, SSE, but my response was absolutely tongue in cheek and not meant to be followed by anyone. You guys had it covered well, so I figured I'd be a little nonsensical.

Yeah, especially the part about buying in-flight drinks! $7/bottle or some bullshit like that? Hell no!

"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens

trilobyte wrote:Thanks for the kind words, SSE, but my response was absolutely tongue in cheek and not meant to be followed by anyone. You guys had it covered well, so I figured I'd be a little nonsensical.

Yeah, especially the part about buying in-flight drinks! $7/bottle or some bullshit like that? Hell no!

Fuck that shit! Am I the only one that brings a gallon sized ziploc of 2 oz liquor bottles in the carry-on under the seat whenever flying?!?

Dude.

$0.99 at the liquor store. Ziploc bag full.

"Oh.. STEWARDESS? Could I grab another can of OJ and two cups full of ice?"

(BTW.. melatonin is the shit. It's the only thing that knocks my insomnia's dee eye see kaye in the dirt.. even over ambien or any tylenol/advil PM's. Placebo my ass. Someone's been eating too many Coachella corndogs.)